UVI News Release
DATE: August 26, 2026
For immediate release
Press Contact: Tamika Thomas Williams
Director of Public Relations (340) 693-1056 | pr@uvi.edu www.uvi.edu
UVI Invites Community to World Food Day Celebration on St. Croix
The University of the Virgin Islands invites the community to enjoy a day of food,
learning and family-friendly activities at its World Food Day observance on Sunday,
Oct. 18, from noon to 6 p.m. on the grounds of UVI’s Albert A. Sheen Campus on St.
Croix.
The free event will begin with an opening ceremony and feature educational workshops,
a food court, a farmers market, a Super Chef demonstration and the distribution of
free vegetable seedlings.
World Food Day is officially observed internationally on Oct. 16, with related activities
held worldwide throughout October. The observance raises awareness about hunger, nutrition
and food security while encouraging communities to support local agriculture, adopt
sustainable practices and work together to ensure everyone has access to nutritious
food.
The 2026 World Food Day theme, selected by the Food and Agriculture Organization of
the United Nations, is “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.”
“This year’s theme captures the essence of the work of UVI’s School of Agriculture,
including innovative agricultural research aimed at producing ample, safe and nutritious
food for the people of the Virgin Islands,” said Dr. Usman Adamu, dean and director
of the UVI School of Agriculture. “The School of Agriculture is committed to observing
World Food Day each year because it provides an important opportunity to educate and
engage the community, showcase locally relevant agricultural research and promote
a more resilient and food-secure Virgin Islands.”
Each year, the local celebration highlights agricultural products. This year’s featured
products are
jicama—a crisp, mildly sweet root vegetable that can be eaten raw or cooked and dragon
fruit—a tropical fruit with vibrant skin and mildly sweet, seed-speckled flesh.
Admission is free; however, attendees are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food
item to support the
event’s food drive. All donated items will be distributed to local food banks.
World Food Day is sponsored by the UVI School of Agriculture and the Virgin Islands
Department of
Agriculture. For more information, call (340) 692-4060.
The UVI School of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity
provider and
employer.
